Question about trees...Landscape guys

[Champdog21]

I need to transplant two Japanese maples that are about 8 feet tall. They have just started to show budding on the limbs, but I need to move them away from the house. When is the best time to dig these up and move them? Thanks

Chad

[landscaper]

I'd move them now or wait till fall. Anytime you transplant a tree, though, you run a pretty good risk of losing it. I hate transplanting a Jap maple unless I absolutely have to. It's trying to put a lot of energy in to budding right now so transplanting will probably make it shock out, and it might not look that great this year, but it would beat the heck out of waiting till it's too hot. On the other hand, if you are able to dig a large enough root ball and have the means to handle it without tearing it up it could do just fine. Like I say, though, when ever you do it the key is to dig a root ball large enough that you don't damage too many major roots, but small enough that you can move it with out destroying it, and be sure to put a liquid root stimulator on it after moving because the first thing you want it to be doing is getting some new roots started.

[davidees]

I'd move them now or wait till fall. Anytime you transplant a tree, though, you run a pretty good risk of losing it. I hate transplanting a Jap maple unless I absolutely have to. It's trying to put a lot of energy in to budding right now so transplanting will probably make it shock out, and it might not look that great this year, but it would beat the heck out of waiting till it's too hot. On the other hand, if you are able to dig a large enough root ball and have the means to handle it without tearing it up it could do just fine. Like I say, though, when ever you do it the key is to dig a root ball large enough that you don't damage too many major roots, but small enough that you can move it with out destroying it, and be sure to put a liquid root stimulator on it after moving because the first thing you want it to be doing is getting some new roots started.

What if he got somebody out there with one of those tree trucks, the ones they dig 'em up from the nursery with?

[Cat Squirrel]

Getting a tree spade out there is probably more money than you would want to spend. They're only 8 footers.

I agree with landscaper. Get 'em moved now if you're gonna do it. Best would have been in late winter, but what's done is done.

Get a side grinder and sharpen up a straight-shanked shovel. You can easily cut the roots you have to but it keeps your rootball intact. And make sure you dig it a few days after a rain so the soil isn't too wet or too dry (so the ball stays together)

There an art to moving a tree...I like to cut the roots first (getting as large a ball as I can manage), then dig a trench back around, then digging down underneath. It's easier shown than described

In addition to what l'scaper said, you might want to thin the crown some to keep it balance. I don't find Jap maples do too well down here for us in South La. I think it gets too hot and the soil isn't good (wet) although other maples usually like wet feet. But you probably have different conditions than us.....

I find they do best on a north exposure in a well drained bed area.

[landscaper]

If they're under 8' moving them by hand shouldn't be too big of a deal with a little help. If the trees are too close to the house then their too close to the house for a tree spade for my taste.

[davidees]

If they're under 8' moving them by hand shouldn't be too big of a deal with a little help. If the trees are too close to the house then their too close to the house for a tree spade for my taste.

Good point

[stitch]

You need to do it in the winter when the tree is dormant

[landscaper]

Doing it the dead of winter can have it's own draw backs. The freshly cut roots can freeze, and then you've lost the tree. Some times pruning, transplanting, or otherwise shocking the tree can cause the sap to rise unseasonably, and freeze causing the trunk to split, killing the tree. I say now or late October.

[Champdog21]

OK, Thanks for the info... so what I got from that is the best time would probably be now or late October. I think I may wait to late October to move them as I have several other projects going on around the house. I know a tree spade would be best , but the trunk of the two trees are only like three feet from the corner of the house. I can manage to dig it where most of the root ball stays intact, so I'll be doing this in the fall. Again, thank you guys for the helpful comments because Jap. Maples that big are expensive.

Chad

[adame]

Don't do it now! jap maples are so finicky and your root ball for that tree is going to be fairly large. I would wait until end of JAN. first of FEB. I can almst guarantee you that thos trees would not make it through the summer